Region of Death III.

Jason Moy has his latest Bracket Prediction up at USCHO.COM and talk about another bracket of death much like the 2006 REA regional, but also the 2007 Denver Regional.

West Regional (Minneapolis)

13 North Dakota vs. 3 Michigan (What, again?)
11 Minnesota-Duluth vs. 5 Northeastern

Scores from February 13, 2009

Friday, February 13, 2009

Atlantic Hockey
Army 4 at Sacred Heart 3
Mercyhurst 6 at Connecticut 3
Air Force 3 at Bentley 2
RIT 6 at Holy Cross 0
American Int'l 0 at Canisius 3

CCHA
Ohio State 1 at Michigan State 1 ot: MSU wins shootout
Miami 2 at Lake Superior 1
Ferris State 3 at Bowling Green 2
Nebraska-Omaha 3 at Michigan 8
Northern Michigan 5 at Notre Dame 9
Alaska 0 at Western Michigan 3

CHA
Niagara 4 at Alabama-Huntsville 2

ECAC
Cornell 4 at Dartmouth 5 ot
Clarkson 3 at Princeton 5
Brown 3 at Rensselaer 4
Colgate 2 at Harvard 3
St. Lawrence 4 at Quinnipiac 3 ot
Yale 4 at Union 2

Hockey East
Northeastern 5 at Massachusetts 3
Boston University 7 at Maine 2
Vermont 2 at Merrimack 3
Providence 4 at New Hampshire 4 ot
Mass.-Lowell 6 at Boston College 0

Analysis
If the NCAA playoffs started today the defending NCAA champ the Boston College Eagles would be out of the NCAA tourney. Boston College goalie John Muse has not been impressive this season here is the line on Muse 13-10-4 GAA 2.89 SV% 0.899. Boston University's rolled again as Colin Wilson has three goals and an assist for a four point game for the Terriers.

WCHA
Michigan Tech 2 at St. Cloud State 3
Alaska-Anchorage 2 at Minnesota 2 ot
Minnesota State 1 at North Dakota 4
Denver 3 at Colorado College 3 ot

Analysis
Colorado College watched their 3-2 lead against DU dissolved in the third period. With the Tie the Tigers keep the Gold Pan. Minnesota found out that Alaska isn't going to go quietly into the night as the Seawolves had to score a goal to secure a tie in the game. Also, Gopher forward Jay Barriball missed a chance to win the game in over time.

Another brawl that's not UND's fault...

It's seems that it just isn't the WCHA league games that scrums, fight and incidents happen in. Check out Adam Wodon's description of what happened between Maine and BU last night. Hockey is a very fast emotional game and fights are going to happen from time to time.

Then the other stuff started. ... At 8:21, Will O'Neill, who had just scored, got into it with Wilson. Wilson only got two for roughing, but O'Neill got a fighting major and Game DQ. Fifty seconds later, Maine's Mike Branwell was called for spearing on BU's Brandon Yip, and also got a Game DQ. Yip received a double minor. ... After Kevin Shattenkirk's goal making it 7-2, things got even worse. At 14:12, Maine's Jeff Dimmen was cited for a hit from behind, which BU's Brian Strait took exception to, leading to a fight between the two. Both were ejected and given Game DQs. Finally, at 18:20, BU's Eric Gryba and Maine's Jeffrey Marshall got into a scrap, but "only" got roughing minors and 10-minute misconducts. ... That's three game disqualifications for Maine, in case you lost count, meaning those three players must sit Saturday's rematch. ... “That’s not what we’re about and there’s no excuse for that,” said Maine coach Tim Whitehead about the three DQs.

Sioux 4 - Purple Cows 1

The Fighting Sioux's road to the NCAA tourney is not going to be a gimme or a slam dunk, they are going to have to work for it. The Fighting Sioux must keep winning if they want to play past the WCHA playoffs. Tonight was the first step in the right direction on a long road. The road to the NCAA playoffs doesn't get easier and the Mavericks will come out tomorrow guns blazing. The Sioux must be ready and can't take a shift off, they must play a complete disciplined game like they did tonight. If the Fighting Sioux can continue their pace and their current path they could very well finish a top of the WCHA. Tomorrow night the Sioux can not get wrapped up in the after the whistle bravo sierra.

The effort tonight was impressive as the Fighting Sioux out worked, out hustled and pretty much had their way with the Mavericks tonight. If it wasn't for Mike Zacharias the score could have been 10-1. The Fighting Sioux had the Mavericks on their heals all night and improved their record to 9-1-1 in the last 11 games against the Minnesota State University Mavericks.

Tonight I was even more impressed with the play of LGM's favorite Sioux player Big Joe Finley who had missed 16 games at the beginning of the season with a head injury. Big Joe has come back to the line up and been a major force on the blue line. I would have to say that the last three series Big Joe has taken a big leadership role on the ice for the Fighting Sioux.

Brad Miller was impressive with his two goals on the evening. It nice to see Miller chipping in after missing many games the first three years of his UND hockey career. There will be more tomorrow, I have to work in the morning.


Box Score
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MNS-1 Zach Harrison (2-Interference) NDK 0x1 0:16
NDK-1 Brett Hextall (2-Roughing) MNS 0x1 8:52
NDK-2 Matt Watkins (2-Boarding) MNS 0x2 9:38
MNS-2 James Gaulrapp (2-Hooking) NDK 1x2 14:39
NDK 1 - 0 6x5 PP LL Brad Miller (5) (Jake Marto, Ryan Duncan) 15:26
NDK: 14,25,16,26,29,G31 MNS: 19,12,17,5,G1
MNS-3 Nick Canzanello (2-Holding) NDK 2x3 17:40
MNS-4 Trevor Bruess (2-Kneeing) NDK 2x4 19:32
NDK 2 - 0 6x4 PP GW Brad Miller (6) (Brett Hextall, Chris VandeVelde) 19:39
NDK: 14,26,29,16,5,G31 MNS: 4,19,22,G1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MNS-5 Trevor Bruess (2-Boarding) NDK 2x5 1:47
NDK 3 - 0 6x6 Evan Trupp (6) (unassisted) 6:05
NDK (+): 29,21,19,24,14,G31 MNS (-): 5,12,16,3,20,G1
NDK-3 Matt Watkins (2-Tripping) MNS 0x3 9:06
MNS-6 Cameron Cooper (2-Interference) NDK 2x6 13:57
NDK-4 Darcy Zajac (2-Interference) MNS 0x4 18:14

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MNS-7 Trevor Bruess (2-High-Sticking) NDK 2x7 0:30
MNS 1 - 3 5x6 SH Geoff Irwin (9) (unassisted) 0:59
MNS (+): 19,22,4,15,G1 NDK (-): 17,21,8,19,5,G31
NDK-5 Brad Malone (2-Unsportsmanlike Conduct) MNS 0x5 3:58
NDK 4 - 1 6x6 Andrew Kozek (7) (Joe Finley, Brad Malone) 10:28
NDK (+): 10,2,22,5,9,G31 MNS (-): 18,15,10,2,17,G1
NDK-6 Matt Frattin (2-Hooking) MNS 0x6 11:08
MNS-8 Nick Canzanello (2-Roughing) 18:57
MNS-9 Nick Canzanello (2-Roughing) 18:57
MNS-10 Ben Youds (5-High-Sticking) 18:57
NDK-7 Mario Lamoureux (2-Roughing) 18:57
NDK-8 Mario Lamoureux (2-Roughing) 18:57
NDK-9 Brad Malone (2-Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 18:57

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A sample of the fans.

Just so you know its not just me that upset with the refs and officials in this league check out this all American post from Brad's blog. All I can say is Bravo, well said. Time for some hockey the bye week is officially over. Props to AZ SIOUX for selling me my new Retro 1987 Fighting Sioux hockey jersey. Man do I miss those jerseys.

The WCHA, and the commissioner, is a joke. How can a coach who obviously is the "wine and dine" of the WCHA coaching fraternity (GWOZ) interrupt a pivotal league game for over 5-7 minutes and not get suspended by the league. It's obvious where the league derives from (Colorado) and the bias towards other programs. The WCHA has flown by the seat of their pants for quite some time. The officials leader, Sheppard, prances around the (10) arenas like he's a military general and yet his officiers (refs) continue to be gut-less when it comes to cleaning this league up. In the dictionary, the definition of the WCHA would go something like this:

A league in the NCAA that lets a few coaches dictate (GWOZ) and (LUCY .. we get the prime time games in the Final Five even if we are 5th seed) ... a league without leadership that lets the respective institutions dictate coaching suspensions ... where the ref's have called the games like the old Federal League in Slapshot and where the superstars bolt to the NHL after frosh, soph and jr. seasons like the famous quote, "I'm as mad as hell and I won't take it anymore" on the lack of protecting it's most prized athletes .. the league where USA Hockey dictates the Post Season Awards Banquet (WCHA) so that the athletes USA Hockey pulls from HS programs are glorified .. the league where in some years the best four teams play each other in a regional now and not see the greatest teams match-up in the Frozen Four .. the league where if they had it their way they'd just keep in the McNaughton Cup in Colorado and celebrate w/ DU or CC after the presentations.


The WCHA should visit North Dakota and Figthing Sioux name. Look at how it's program prides itself in the "family" of tradition and honor which are first, and foremost. But the NCAA and WCHA are against the name because most white people know what's best for the Native American. Just like the treaties of the 1800's and the Catholic Board Schools of the 20th century.

C'mon. And this league is what governs the pride of NCAA hockey.
Posted by: Yosemite Sam on Friday, February 13 2:08 PM

McLeod speaks

When I read this article this morning it made my blood boil. I have to give props for Fighting Sioux beat writer Brad E. Schlossman for writing this story and getting it out in the open for the public to read. It is also time for the WCHA to update its rules and have a standard that is more acceptable. The NHL makes swift and just decision that don't make five days to make. This is unacceptable. The league office appears that it doesn’t want to make the hard decisions. Maybe it is time the WCHA hires someone who will make just and fair decisions that are consistent.

To take a page from Redwing_77’s book; it is time for Bruce McLeod and Greg Shepherd to be relieved of their duties at the WCHA league office. When his contract is up for renewal it's time to send him a pink slip and put a new leadership in their place.


Is McLeod kidding? The league decided to give a player a private reprimand for his bush league and gutless attack on another player and received nothing else, after the Gophers coach Don Lucia failed to suspend Brian “the Hack” Schack. If I was George Gwozdecky I would be very unhappy with the league office right now. One coach manned up while the other one made excuses for bad behavior. My respect for Gwoz has gone up three fold.

If the league office is not going to suspend a player for such a blatant bush league attack, at least give that player a harsher public rebuke. Nothing! The sound of silence was deafening. Last season Kyle Radke got an extra game disqualification for his two fight game against the Denver Pioneers last season. If you watched the game between Minnesota and Mankato you will see that Schack was actually punching two different Gopher players with his helmet and gloves on during the same game that he was given a game disqualification in.

Like one fellow Sioux fans from New York said, “They're just gearing up to really stick it to the Sioux when ANYTHING out of the ordinary happens....Hak better have his boys on a short lease for the rest of the year, or suspensions will come fast and furious with the Sioux's reputation.” Just for the record WCHA head of officials Greg Shepherd will be at both games this weekend. Gee I wonder what the potential response would be if there is an incident this weekend? I would be willing to bet that it will be swift, harsh and not some bush league private reprimand.

I wonder what the leagues response would have been if the offending player had been wearing green and white during the Brian Schack incident? I would be willing to bet that the response would not be the kids gloves treatment Don Luica’s hack received.

Men's hockey: WCHA commish talks suspensions
Brad Elliott --- Schlossman Grand Forks Herald
Western Collegiate Hockey Association commissioner Bruce McLeod has the executive power to issue immediate suspensions, but he said this week he would prefer to follow guidelines in the league handbook.

Those guidelines — seen as a negotiation — are starting to come under fire after the league has had to deal with a misconduct issue for the third week in a row.

Denver defenseman Patrick Mullen was suspended Thursday for one game because of a slash at the end of last Saturday’s game on Minnesota-Duluth forward Mike Connolly.
----------(snip)----------
Two weeks ago, McLeod said the league examined Minnesota defenseman Brian Schack’s attack on MSU-Mankato’s Channing Boe. With Boe facing the ice and without a helmet, Schack punched him during a scrum. Boe suffered a broken bone in his leg and is likely out for the season.

Schack was issued a private reprimand but was given no additional suspension (he sat out one game because of a game disqualification penalty).
----------(snip)----------
“Obviously, we’re concerned about these incidents,” McLeod said. “I think we had seven game disqualifications last weekend for different reasons. I don’t think it’s ever happened like that. So there’s definitely a concern.

“But I have to be darn careful. In Patrick Mullen’s incident, just because he was the last one, doesn’t mean he should take the cumulative effect of all of the incidents. I try real hard to take each decision on its own.”

What is this?

Look what my wife had my Daughter dressed up in; a purple cows outfit.
Abby got that shirt from one of our friends who went to MSU-M UND game last winter.
I am going to have to get my house in order. :)

Which one of these coaches is not like the other?

Lets compare and contrast the two coaches. Here is Denver University coach George Gwozdecky response after one of his player viciously slashed UMD Bulldog Mike Connelly. I think I have a lot more respect for this coach.

GG: If you look at the WCHA and the philosophy on that, most of the time, the WCHA will look to the schools to make the decision first. If they agree with the school, it goes along. If they don't, they'll add or change (the suspension).

It was a pretty hard swing with the stick. The action and the intent are two things you have to look at. If you look at what Patrick did immediately after contact was made -- if he was looking at injuring (UMD's Mike Connelly) he would've stood there or went after him. But immediately he sprinted down the ice, knowing only a second or two was left in the game. ... No question his intent, as he said, was to deny Connelly from getting the puck. He went about it the wrong way, but the one thing that was probably in my mind, (the intent was) not worth any further suspension.

CHN: Is it a good idea for the league to leave it up to teams to impose their own discipline?

Here is Don Lucia's response after Brian Schack's Todd Bertuzzi style attack on Channing Boe. Does Lucia suspend Brian "the Hack" Schack? Nope!

“That’s not the way we like to play,” Lucia said, “but in some of our kids’ defense, Brian Schack included — and I’ve said it, at some point, we got to protect our own players, too. Brian did that and that’s to his credit.

“Now I am going to sit down with Brian about what happened on Friday night because I did think he did cross the line a little bit on Friday night. I am going to talk to him about that and show him the video of the play because you don’t want to be in a situation where somebody is vulnerable and they can get hurt.

Mullen suspended.

It is official that Denvers Patrick Mullen has been suspended by the league office for his slash on Mike Connolly.

DENVER – The University of Denver has suspended senior defenseman Patrick Mullen (Pittsburgh, Pa.) one game for his slashing incident that occurred at the end of the Pioneers’ 4-2 loss at Minnesota Duluth on Feb. 7.

Mullen was assessed a five-minute major penalty for slashing and a 10-minute game misconduct penalty at the 20:00 mark of the third period at Minnesota Duluth on Feb. 7.

In addition to the suspension, Mullen has met with DU Senior Associate Director of Athletics Ron Grahame and head coach George Gwozdecky to explain his actions and discuss the seriousness of the circumstances.

“A hockey player is responsible for his stick,” Gwozdecky said. “Patrick’s reckless action with his stick at the end of the Duluth game warrants a one-game suspension.”

Mullen, who will serve his one-game suspension at Colorado College on Friday, Feb. 13, will also be required to meet with WCHA Commissioner Bruce McLeod to discuss the incident.

Here is what Denver coach George Gwozdecky had to say about the incident. Interesting selection of words.

"It was a pretty hard swing with the stick," Gwozdecky said. "The action and the intent are two things you have to look at. If you look at what Patrick did immediately after contact was made -- if he was looking at injuring (Connelly) he would've stood there or went after him. But immediately he sprinted down the ice, knowing only a second or two was left in the game. ... No question his intent, as he said, was to deny Connellyl from getting the puck. He went about it the wrong way, but the one thing that was probably in my mind, (the intent was) not worth any further suspsension."

Mav's and Sioux

Here is a look at the records. While its true that the Mavericks are tough (like playing against a corned, wounded animal) UND has been pretty successful against the Mavericks.

UND vs. Minnesota State
All-Time Series
All-Time: UND leads 29-10-7 (.707)
In Grand Forks: UND leads 17-6-3 (.712)
In Mankato: UND leads 12-4-4 (.700)
Neutral: None
Last 10: UND leads 8-1-1 (.850) - See Below


Date Location Result Note
10-27-06 Mankato W, 5-4
10-28-06 Mankato W, 8-5
02-09-07 Grand Forks W, 8-4
02-10-07 Grand Forks T, 4-4 Overtime
03-09-07 Grand Forks W, 5-2 WCHA 1st round
03-10-07 Grand Forks W, 2-1 WCHA 1st round
01-18-08 Mankato W, 2-1
01-19-08 Mankato W, 5-3
10-17-08 Mankato L, 1-5
10-18-08 Mankato W, 4-3

Valentine's Weekend Games (Sioux 7)

WCHA Standings

1 Denver.....................13-7-2...28
1 Wisconsin.................13-7-2...28
3 North Dakota.............11-6-3...25
4 Colorado College........10-8-4...24
5 Minnesota-Duluth........9-8-5...23
6 St. Cloud State..........10-11-1...21
6 Minnesota..................9-8-3...21
8 Minnesota State........9-11-2...20
9 Alaska-Anchorage......7-11-4...18
10 Michigan Tech.........1-15-6....8

Everyone in the league has played 22-games, except UND and UM 20-games, out of the regular season 28-games. That means most teams only have 12 more points available. Michigan Tech is first to know they will be on the road for the first round of WCHA playoffs.


Michigan Tech at St. Cloud State
It's the Huskies versus the Huskies! (I wonder if Michael Vick will be watching) In this dog fight the SCSU Huskies are looking to make a push into the top half of the WCHA, and get their record to over .500 in conference play. The MTU Huskies are just trying to finish the year strong. They are in the doghouse, 10th place, and it's very unlikely they will get out of it. For MTU to get out they would need to win their last six games and have UAA loss their last six games, not good odds. SCSU is 3-2-1 in their last six games while MTU 0-2-4 in their last six games. MTU has been shut-out 7 times this year and for them to get some wins they need their big dogs to do some scoring. SCSU has been "okay" as of late, but with a pair of wins against their doggie counterparts, they can say they are on their way up. I'm going to take the red and white Huskies of SCSU over the black and yellow Huskies. SCSU 3pts.


Alaska-Anchorage at #14 Minnesota
The Gophers look to be hemorrhaging going 2-6-0 in their last eight games, and the Seawolves are doing okay going 2-2-2 in their last six games. Both teams are still in the hunt for home ice, more so for Minnesota being only 2pts out of 5th place, while Alaska is 5pts out. The Seawolves can put the league on notice if they get some points this weekend at the expense of the Gophers. UAA would also seal MTU's 10th place finish by getting 2pts. The Gopher have CC, UMD, and MTU series left after this weekend, not a bunch of "easy" games as some announcers have said. That could add some fuel to the Gophers opponents, as if some of them don't smell blood in the water already. I'm going to take a split in this series.


Minnesota State at #11 North Dakota
Both teams are looking for points, MSUM needs them to try and get to the top half of the league and the Sioux want them to keep pace for the WCHA title and secure home ice. Both teams were off last weekend, so that keeps them even as far as a little rust might go. The Sioux have only lost one game(SCSU) in 2009, and only lost one home game(Cornell) since late November giving them a home season record of 9-3-1. MSUM has a 6-6-3 road record this season. The Mavericks and Sioux split their WCHA season opening series in Mankato, back in October. If the Sioux sweep the Mavericks this weekend, it would put UND in the drivers seat for the WCHA title while dealing the Mavericks a big blow and putting them in a tough spot to try and reach a top half finish. Sioux get a sweet sweep for Valentine's day :)


#8 Denver at #18 Colorado College (1-game)
This game has WCHA, NCAA, and Gold Pan implications riding on it. DU looks to hold on to the top spot in the WCHA with a win and CC wants to keep in the top half. The earlier meetings this season resulted in a Tigers win and a tie. A tie would mean CC retains the GP for another year, a DU win, well its a tie series 1-1-1, and we have to wait until the last weekend to see the out come. Since 2009 the Pioneers are 4-4-2 and the Tigers are 3-3-2, unless they tie someone will be over .500 and someone under it. Neither team has an easy schedule to finish out the year, so this game could be the turning point for one team. I'm go on a limb and going to call this game a tie.



#17 UMD and #13 UW are off this weekend.

Update on Mullen Incident

Here is the latest on the incident. What is there to be dicussed either give him a game(s) suspension or not. Like I had mentioned earlier, I was shocked that the WCHA failed to discipline Schack the hack who committed an egregious act, this is not to say that I condone this act of thuggery either, because I don't. What is to keep Denver from saying, "you have got to be kidding me?" You don't suspend Schack but you're going to sanction my player? In my opinion while slashing someone is not acceptable and should be punished, it is also not acceptable to jump someone from behind and beat them while they lay on the ice without their helmet. Both are classless acts and need to be punished.

(read the whole article here) Game officials Brad Shepherd and C.J. Beaurline gave Mullen a five-minute slashing major penalty and a 10-minute game misconduct at the conclusion of the game. They then asked Greg Shepherd and league commissioner Bruce McLeod to view a video replay of the incident to see if additional penalties were required.

The league and the University of Denver have discussed the situation since Monday, and the matter was being resolved Wednesday, said Nielson. An official statement from the WCHA is expected Thursday, said Greg Shepherd.

According to the Sioux fan's favorite Denver Post beat writer Mike Chambers it appears that Mullen will likely be suspended. So if my team is the Sioux Fighters is Denver the slashing hacks? Seems to be a pattern developing here.

DU senior defenseman Patrick Mullen is likely to join sophomore blue-liner Chris Nutini (upper-body injury) in the press box Friday night when the Pioneers visit Colorado College in a key WCHA game at the World Arena.

Mullen took a slashing major and game misconduct in the waning seconds of Saturday’s 4-2 loss at Minnesota-Duluth. Apparently that wasn’t enough, given that the game ended before his punishment began.

“It has not yet been established. There is a good chance he will be suspended (but) we haven’t determined yet how long the suspension will be,” DU coach George Gwozdecky said before practice Wednesday.

I don't think so.

I found this over blog post over on the McFeely State of Mind. I think it is a remotely interesting question but I have to say definitely not. My next response is; so what? The NDSU Bison make the NCAA tourney IF they win their league. Most people didn't even know where the Summit league was until NDSU joined. In my opinion the Summit League is about as storied as the MAC in football. Yawn! Boring!

If the NDSU Bison win a couple of games in the NCAA tourney (very big IF) then maybe its a semi interesting story state wide, however, until then worry about qualifying for the NCAA tourney. Outside of Fargo, ND NDSU Basketball is really a non-story. I could care less what the Bison are doing. Most hockey fans that I know or associate with aren't interested in your college basketball team.

I don't think NDSU basketball is EVER going to be as big as UND Fighting Sioux hockey. Face it NDSU fans; Fighting Sioux hockey has a following that not many teams in College Hockey enjoy let alone NDSU basketball. Making the NCAA tourney once isn't equal in state history in terms of biggest achievments. Are you going to compare that to any of the 7 NCAA Division one hockey titles, or one of the 13 WCHA regular season championships? What other teams fans travel like Sioux fans. Maybe Gopher fans?

Does everything have to be a contest between UND and NDSU? NDSU had a chance to go the hockey route and decided not to.

(Check it out): Bison in NCAAs biggest sports story ever in N.D.?

Steve Hallstrom of WDAY-TV and I hashed this over yesterday on the radio: If (and I emphasize IF) the North Dakota State men's basketball team qualifies for the NCAA basketball tournament by winning the Summit League tournament in a few weeks, where does it rank in state history in terms of biggest achievments?

I think it becomes the biggest sports story ever in the state. The NCAA tourney is the second largest sporting event in this nation (behind the Super Bowl) and the Bison making the Dance would be a national story (first-time eligible team making it to the big time out of frozen North Dakota, etc.). The magnitude of the NCAA tourney trumps everything else.

University of North Dakota hockey fans will likely take issue.

WCHA is not consistent in their rulings.

Chris Dilks over at Western College Hockey reports that Denver University’s Joe Mullen faces a suspension for his slash on Bulldog forward Mike Connolly.

Kevin Pates from Rink and Run reports that Mullen may recieve a one game suspension for his stick work on Mike Connolly.

University of Denver defenseman Patrick Mullen may be suspended for a game or more for using his stick to hit the arm of Minnesota Duluth freshman winger Mike Connolly in the final seconds of last Saturday’s Western Collegiate Hockey Association men’s game at the DECC.

Mullen's fate was being decided by WCHA and Denver officials Tuesday, said supervisor of officials Greg Shepherd from St. Paul. The Denver senior, the son of NHL Hall of Famer, Joe Mullen, is expected to receive the ruling today.

Connolly, from Calgary, Alberta, had pushed the puck toward an empty Denver net with two seconds to play in a 4-2 UMD victory. He then fell to the ice and Mullen wound up and hit Connolly's arm with his stick, which earned Mullen a five-minute slashing major penalty and a 10-minute game misconduct from referees Brad Shepherd and C.J. Beaurline at the game’s conclusion.

On Sunday, the referees asked Greg Shepherd (Brad's father) and WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod to look at the incident on video tape. The league has since recommended a sanction to Denver, regarding Mullen, and is waiting to hear if the school has accepted the punishment, said Greg Shepherd.

Seems that the WCHA is a little inconsistent in their rulings, first for not giving Brian Schack an additional suspension for his Todd Bertuzzi style attack on Channing Boe and then they MAY give Mullen an game suspension for his slash on Mike Connolly. This doesn't pass the smell test. I guess your better off attacking someone from behind than hitting them with your stick?

Linkorama. (Jeff Dubay sighting)

On this snowy day in Grand Forks there is really not very much happening today in the hockey world.

Sean Avery reported to the Hartford Wolf Pack.

Former Boston Bruin Joe Thornton returned to Boston to play his old team. Incidentally, the Boston Bruins got spanked by the Sharks 5-2. Bruins forward Chuck Kobasew was also injured during last night's game.

A group of Spirit Lake tribal members plans to ask the tribal council to hold a reservation wide referendum on UND’s Fighting Sioux nickname.

The Central Knights Hockey team blew a 4 goals lead to lose 6-5 to Warroad.

Minnesota Wild coach Jacques Lemaire was taken out in practice by Antti Miettinen, I wonder how long it it will be before they call for coaches to wear helmets and full equipment?

We have a Jeff Dubay sighting! According to Roman Augustoviz: Ex-KFAN radio personality Jeff Dubay is now a columnist for GopherIllustrated.com. Here is Jeff Dubay's column is on the Gophers hockey team’s struggles. Clink on the link for Puffy's column latest article. Goon's World hopes Jeff continues make progress in his recovery.

While I have pointed out that a bad February doesn't always mean gloom and doom, the Gophers do have two legitimate concerns that are a result of their recent slide. They are now in a somewhat precarious position in the WCHA standings and home ice for the first round is far from a lock. The other concern is their PairWise ranking has put them on the bubble for the NCAA tournament. These are major concerns but not reason for panic. There are still plenty of games left to remedy both situations. While anything is possible at this point, I expect the Gophers to finish in the top five of the WCHA and top 13 of the Pairwise. That should be enough to get to the Final Five in St. Paul and the West Regional of the NCAA tournament on their home ice. Am I sure? No way. But they will show us soon enough.

Avery to the Rangers?

I have to admit that I am intrigued by this move. While it is no mystery a lot of hockey fans believe that Sean Avery is a punk and at times a classless hack. Sean Avery does bring some excitement and drama to the NHL, last season the NHL made a rule specifically for him after his antics against the New Jersey Devils during the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. Avery know for his fighting skills is also a decent hockey player.

Avery 'Packs for return to Broadway
BY Michael Obernauer --- DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Sean Avery passed through waivers like an invisible man Monday, and Tuesday, he could show up in the Rangers' backyard, if not quite in their organization.

Avery is expected to join the Rangers' AHL affiliate in Hartford on Tuesday, the next step on a comeback road that seems bound to merge with Broadway. Avery still would be under the Dallas Stars' umbrella once he's placed with the Wolfpack, however. The next and final step in Avery's return to the NHL would be Dallas recalling him and exposing him to reentry waivers, where in all likelihood he would be available for the Rangers to claim at half-price, with the Stars sharing the tab.

How to spot a photo shop.

Our friend Amy over at Lets Go Mav's has been having a hell of a time today at Sioux7's and my expense. LOL... I guess I better be careful what I do this winter at the Final Five.

Here is another example of the latest episode on how to spot a photo shop. Obviously it is not me.

I wonder what the odds are that Amy gets into a sparring match with a Sioux fan(s) this weekend? Remember according to the last few coaches to come to REA, the place is a mad house.

Ouch that is going to leave a mark.

I saw this over on Puck Daddy and the call of this play by the announcers is pretty funny. If your a goalie and you have gotten to this point where you checking cups of your opponet you have lost focus. Maybe that is why the Redwings won the game 8-3.

Bad News for Blake Wheeler and David Krejci's line mate.

The Boston Bruins forward Michael Ryder had surgery today. Lets hope he isn't out of the line up very long. Ryder has been playing on a line with David Krejci and Blake Wheeler.

BOSTON—- Boston Bruins center Michael Ryder, signed as a free agent during the offseason to add scoring punch, underwent surgery for a broken facial bone.

The team said the 28-year-old Ryder had surgery Monday for the injury suffered in a game at Ottawa on Feb. 5.

Ryder, who played for the Canadiens the previous four seasons, missed Saturday's game against the Philadelphia Flyers, when coach Claude Julien said he would be out "indefinitely" and that further tests would be conducted Monday.

Ryder has 19 goals and 17 assists this season.

Are the wheels coming off the bus in Minneapolis?

This article was in the Grand Forks Herald today. I thought of a scenario where UND makes the NCAA playoffs and UMN doesn't. While it might a slight stretch since UMN schedule is relatively easy (according to Doug Woog) I could see the NCAA sending the Sioux to the West Regional in Minneapolis to pick up the slack left by Minnesota not being there. I know UND fans would travel well for this regional. Lastly, wouldn't it be nice to see the Fighting Sioux exercise the demons from losing to Ferris State in the 2003 regionals. Everything could be made all right by having the Fighting Sioux skating around the Mariucci Arena with the 2009 West Regional Hockey Championship Trophy.

Gophers defensemen need to clear the crease and the surrounding area. Kangas had guys bumping him all night. A couple of times, he was found beneath a big pile. The Gophers need to face the incoming traffic and steer it away.

“We have to box out,” Lucia agreed. “We need to play better, coach better. It’s so frustrating our last three games have been by one goal, one goal, one goal.”

On offense, they have to shoot the dang puck. Never mind trying to make the perfect pass. Shoot it and make sure it’s on net. Slam it and jam it. Several times Saturday the Gophers had plenty of traffic in front of Badgers goaltender Shane Connelly. They waited too long. They missed the net. They didn’t get good wood on it.

I’m not telling Lucia anything he doesn’t know. No doubt he will address these things with his players. Perhaps his main task is to convey a sense of urgency. It is possible the Gophers could miss the NCAA playoffs for the first time in nine years. I’m not saying it’s likely, but it is possible.

Once ranked No. 1 in the country, they have slid into the bottom half of the WCHA standings. Surely they will fall out of the national top 10 when the next poll is released.

There should be a whole lot of motivation wrapped up in all of that.
(Read the whole article here)

Rangers might be getting the Star's sloppy seconds...

Looks like Mr. Avery is going to back to Broadway. Personally I think while Avery is a punk, however, Avery is a good hockey player that needs to focus more on hockey and less on the antics that come with Sean Avery. I think Sean Avery will do well in New York where he can fit in better than he did in Dallas. If I was the Rangers management I would put a very tight leash on him.

The last week of February, that's when you should expect to see Sean Avery in a Rangers uniform, assuming all goes well in the rehabilitation and waiver processes designed to bring the winger back home to the only NHL city in which he can play.

It can't come soon enough for a team that is in need of shock treatment to avert a complete breakdown in the wake of Friday's colossally humiliating 10-2 defeat in Dallas that extended the losing streak to a season-high four games (0-3-1).

Just like that, the Rangers are somehow just six points up on the ninth-place Hurricanes and 10th-place Penguins, with one game in hand on Pittsburgh. Just like that, the Rangers are no sure thing.

Just like that, the Rangers need Avery as much as he needs them, even if they all don't know it.

Make no mistake, Rangers management neither waved Avery's name around the room like a red flag to threaten and motivate the team (this isn't high school) nor asked for the players' permission to proceed with the plan (this isn't high school), by which No. 16 would be re-acquired on re-entry waivers after first clearing regular waivers then being assigned as Stars' property to the AHL Wolf Pack for a couple of weeks of conditioning.